Church vigils after care home deaths incident

Emergency services were called to Gainsborough Care Home early on Wednesday morning

Church vigils are being held in a Dorset town where the sudden deaths of three care home residents prompted a large emergency response and a manslaughter arrest.

An 86-year-old woman and two men, aged 74 and 91, were found dead at Gainsborough Care Home in Swanage on Wednesday morning.

A 60-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and released while inquiries continue. Dorset Police previously said it was investigating carbon monoxide as a possible cause.

Rev Dr Ian Bird, from Swanage and Studland Team Ministry, said three churches would be open for private prayers and the lighting of candles.

All Saints Church will hold an event to remember the victims on Sunday

Seven people were taken to hospital for precautionary checks after emergency services were called to the home on Ulwell Road at 05:20 BST.

About 40 residents from the home were transferred, some in wheelchairs, to All Saints Church a short distance away.

They were later sent to temporary accommodation in Dorset, Hampshire and West Sussex.

Rev Bird, who was on the scene on Wednesday, said some of the residents asked him to pray for them.

He said: "There were people who were genuinely distressed at the situation they were in."

Police are investigating whether carbon monoxide was the cause of the deaths

The team rector added: "Some of them, as you went round and chatted to them, were expressing concerns about where they were going to be.

"The staff were just incredible in comforting people and we kind of joined in with that."

He said St Mary's Church - near the town's fire station - was open for prayers on Friday and would hold a service for people who had lost loved ones on Sunday 3 November.

He said All Saints Church would hold an event at 15:00 on Sunday for private prayers and St Mark's Church was also available for reflection.

Previously, the care home said it was "deeply saddened" and was "fully cooperating" with the investigation.